Government

Fair Housing in Watertown Meeting Planned After Study Found Housing Discrimination

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The Human Rights Commission & Affordable Housing Trust are hosting an event in response to the recent West Metro Homes Consortium report which found housing discrimination present in Watertown, as well as in every other community surveyed. See the information provided by the City of Watertown. Join us at the Fair Housing in Watertown Meeting on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. virtually via Zoom, at: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91712481602. (The public may also join the virtual meeting audio only by phone: 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and enter Webinar ID: 917 1248 1602)

Sophia Suarez-Friedman of the Wayside Multi-Service Center will talk about what she has learned helping individuals and families find housing in Watertown. Elizabeth Brusie and Cliff Cook will co-moderate and discuss steps the city can take to combat housing discrimination.

Letters

LETTER: Let’s Prioritize Housing Affordability in Our FY 2027 City Budget!

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I was profoundly disappointed that the housing affordability crisis was not addressed in the City Manager’s Budget Presentation at the City Council meeting on April 8. Although Mr. Proakis is open to and advocates for a range of solutions to our housing affordability crisis, during his presentation he did not acknowledge the crisis and did not prioritize housing affordability – as a City and for the new Human Services Director. At the meeting, City Manager Proakis correctly positioned the City Council, the community, and staff to consider how economic uncertainty and likely far-reaching government cuts will impact municipal funding. It will also impact residents’ ability to remain housed. In light of the current economic threats, we should make sure that we’re giving serious thought to priorities for Fiscal Year 2027; and talking to our City Councilors about it.

Government

Watertown’s Housing Plan OK’d by State, is Compliant With MBTA Communities Law

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City of Watertown is Officially Compliant with the MBTA Communities Law! The official notice of compliance was sent to City Manager George Proakis on April 9, 2025. This marks a significant step toward the ultimate goals in implementing the Watertown Square Area Plan, and revitalizing Watertown’s downtown. A (Very) Brief History to MBTA Communities Law Compliance

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted the MBTA Communities Law in January 2021. This required 177 Cities and Towns to establish “at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.”

Around Town

Registration Open for Community Dialogue on Accessory Dwelling Units

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, in partnership with Watertown Community Conversations (WCC), will be hosting an “Accessory Dwelling Units Community Dialogue” on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

The event will be held at The Apartments at Coolidge School, located at 319 Arlington St., from 6 to 8:30 PM, including time at the beginning for attendees to enjoy light food and beverages. The Community Dialogue will include a short presentation, small group dialogues facilitated by WCC, and a subsequent large-group summary. Registration has opened–register here. RSVPs are appreciated for planning purposes but are not required. 

The Trust plans to use ideas generated during this event to help shape a proposal to the Council for permitting Accessory Dwelling Units. As of February 2, 2025, every city/town is required to allow accessory dwelling units “by right.” In November 2024, Watertown passed an “interim” ADU ordinance.

Government

City Staff: Removing Winter Parking Ban Could Have Broader Impacts; Council Wants to Study Further

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Residents packed the City Council Chamber to discuss removing the Winter Parking Ban. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Tuesday night’s discussion of whether to eliminate the Winter Parking Ban in Watertown turned into a larger discussion of parking permits, housing, and how the City communicates messages like snow emergencies. The City Council held a special meeting to discuss a petition signed by more than 800 residents calling for the removal of the overnight parking ban in the winter months in Watertown. Many of those residents came to meeting, packing the City Council Chamber, spilling out into the hallway and down the stairway. Plus, more than 130 joined remotely on Zoom.

Around Town

Council President Calls for Recognition of Watertown’s Efforts to Create Housing

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City Council President Mark Sideris speaks at the 2024 Inauguration. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown City Council President Mark Sideris recently wrote a letter to the Boston Globe asking for recognition of the City’s effort to allow housing, going above and beyond the state’s requirements. The letter was published by the Globe on Dec. 14. He wrote it in response to an article the paper ran about how Lexington met the requirements of the MBTA Communities Law and has about 1,000 units in the pipeline to be constructed.

Around Town

Watch the Chamber’s Forum on the Impact Housing Cost; the State’s Competitiveness

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On Wednesday, the Charles River Chamber hosted an event focused on economic development in the region, and heard from the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation, as well as hosting two panels: one of young professionals and another with the planning directors from the Chamber’s four communities — including Watertown’s Steve Magoon. The Chamber provided the following information:

Earlier this week we hosted a program on the UMass Amherst Mount Ida campus exploring our region’s top economic challenges, including housing and workforce, as well as Massachusetts’ competitive strengths and weaknesses. Here’s the event recording, and here’s direct links to the event’s three segments:

– Mass Taxpayers Foundation presentation by Doug Howgate. – Planning directors discussing housing, commercial and economic development

– Young professionals share their housing challenges.

Around Town

Affordable Housing Trust Hosting Listening Session, City Will Submit 5-Year Plan

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Watertown’s Affordable Housing Trust will be hosting a listening session to find out the housing needs, and create a strategy to include in the City’s five-year plan. See information in the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Every five years the federal government asks cities/towns that receive its housing money (like Watertown) to submit a 5-year plan with information about housing needs and strategies. If you want to comment on housing needs and strategies, the City (through its Affordable Housing Trust) will be holding a listening session on December 17, 2024, at 6 PM. The Affordable Housing Trust will take comments from the members of the public on Watertown’s housing needs and strategies at its December 17, 2024, meeting (meeting details at the bottom of this message).